Landlord ordered to carry out fire risk action plan by Glasgow council

A Glasgow west end landlord has been told to replace end of life kitchens for ten tenants and ordered to carry out a fire risk action plan.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service staff have had to chase Mr Murray repeatedly about the large property at Athole Gardens in the Hyndland area and say they can’t support a bid for its licence.

Mr Murray blamed the delay in replying on problems with his phone as he appeared in front of the city’s licensing and regulatory committee yesterday.

The meeting heard that the firefighter team contacted him about checks in June but despite a number of requests an audit wasn’t carried out until the end of October.

It found “significant deficiencies” in fire safety, according to a representative from the emergency services.

He said the fire service is now waiting on an action plan from Mr Murray on what is being done to address risks.

He told the committee if the action plan is not received within a deadline soon, enforcement action will be taken.

The meeting also heard small kitchens that have reached the end of their life must be replaced and a bathroom needs to be updated.

Mr Murray, of firm Ledmont Limited, was applying for a house in multiple occupation licence for the address 5/1 and 5/2, 5 Athole Gardens.

He told the committee he had issues with his phone settings and had not received the multiple messages from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Committee chair councillor Alex Wilson, SNP, said: “I’m not buying it.”

He added: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have not been able to get a hold of you since June.”

Mr Murray said he had checked messages and “there was nothing”.

Councillor Wilson also pointed out the property is “tired” with kitchenettes at the end of their functional life and a bathroom needing updating.

The fire service representative said it is not up to their staff to chase landlords and that they have “went of their way” to pursue the matter.

Councillor Wilson pointed out concerns the property is a fire risk but Mr Murray listed a range of safety measures including fire doors and smoke alarms.

Councillor Wilson told Mr Murray: “You have not done what you were supposed to do as a landlord.”

The staff member from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service told the committee they can’t support the house in multiple occupation licence bid.

He stated that there is a history with the property and it is the second time where an action plan has been required.

Mr Murray said after the death of his wife he “took his eye off the ball”.

Expressing sympathy about his loss, councillor Jill Pidgeon, Labour, told him regulations are for the safety of tenants.

The committee decided to hold off on a decision on granting the house in multiple occupation licence to allow the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to present more information on concerns about the management of the premises and for outstanding actions to be carried out.